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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

ok...so i downloaded linux mint 10 to use on a usb thumb drive. i used unetbootin to instal the .iso image, and then changed the boot order in the BIOS menu, and used mint that way. then i got a 750 gb external hard drive, and installed the OS on there, as a way to boot linux as an actual OS on my computer. now the prob that i am facing, is that even when the hard drive is not plugged into my computer, and i try booting windows, all i get is the grub rescue prompt, and thats it...i can plug my external in and run windows when it prompts me what i want to run, either linux mint, or mutliple windows OS, but i dont want to worry about my external being damaged and not being able to use my computer...any help would be greatly appreciated...thanx

start up windows and type in fdisk /mbr
this should reset the mbr of your hard drive to the windows default.

then you have to access your bios when you start up your pc.
for acer its f2
for dell its holding down delete while it boots up
for hp its f12
...
and look in the menu for something like 'boot order' and configure it so that the usb-hd starts first.

You've installed the Mint Grub2 on your internal hard drives' master boot record. The Grub in the mbr of your internal is pointing to the Grub files on the external and when you don't have the external attached, it won't boot.

What exactly do you want to do? Do you want windows on the mbr of the internal? Do you want the Mint Grub in the mbr of the external?
Reinstalling windows to the mbr can be done if you have an installation disk. The commands/methods vary depending upon which version of windows you have. The one suggested above works for xp. It's different for vista/7. Which do you have, the most recent version if you have mroe than one.

ok, i know what i did...i managed to screw around with the MBR of my computer, so that it runs GRUB from my linux OS from my hard drive...but being in iraq, i have no way of getting an installation cd/dvd...so i guess my next question is if anyone knows how i can manually fix the MBR or something like that...